Ahhh “A Blessing,” there’s something absolutely marvelous about this poem. The sense of intention, of balance, just holds this poem up, like a tree. The whole poem speaks of order, communion, and silence. The things to pick up here is that spring is new here, that this is a place of rejuvenation. The statement “There is no loneliness like theirs” pops out at first glance, because the kindly horses are together after all, but I take it as how happy they are to see their master, and how even together, they are alone. These horses need people. In turn, these people need horses–notice there are two of them as well–and they too may have been lonely together. The delicate shy joy at recognition goes both ways here, and the tremendously intimate gesture of touching the horse’s ear (such a sensitive part of the body–tell me who would you let touch your ear?) This action, this connection, quiet and simple, brings the greatest bit of joy, the part that makes the soul break into blossom. Lovely.